Quiz: Howstuffworks

Build Your Dream Baseball Team and We'll Tell You How All-American You Are!

Zoe Samuel

Image: Pexels

About This Quiz

Baseball is more than just a national pastime. It is a legend. Even its origins are mysterious. Allegedly founded by Abner Doubleday in Cooperstown, New York, the game had roots in a prior game called "town ball," and originally teams could field as many as ten outfielders. The age of the apocryphal Doubleday changed all that, setting up a basic set of rules recognizable as what we call baseball today.

The game changed over the decades. The pitcher's mound became higher. The age of "dead ball" came to an end. Even how the balls are stored and transported changed. Cheating evolved as well. Initially, spitballs were legal in the game, but even spitball throwers would use Vaseline, bootblack, and other mysterious substances to put extra movement on pitches. Players used to cork their bats, drilling out the middle of the bat and inserting cork to decrease weight and increase bat speed. Now the cheaters cork their bodies, injecting dangerous substances to increase muscle mass and reduce recovery time.

The game is what it is, with all its history, its glories and its blemishes. How well do you know the game? Do you have it in your blood? Assemble your baseball organization, and we'll tell you how all-American you are.

First of all, what kind of stadium do you want for your team?

Modern, with a retro touch.

Totally antique.

Modern-ish.

Space-age.

How big a market do you want for your team?

I want the biggest media market.

I don't mind so long as I have a loyal following.

It can be small.

It should be average.

What kind of GM do you want?

Someone who follows data and scout instincts.

An ex-scout.

Totally data driven.

Someone who gives fair contracts.

Which front office person should be the face of the organization?

The owner.

The GM.

PR flack.

No one person should be the face.

What offensive strategy would you want your team to follow?

Slam as many homers as possible.

Hit for average.

Scratch out runs with scrappy offense.

Play a clean game.

What's your defensive focus?

Keep the ball in the infield.

Strikeouts.

Pop outs.

Everything.

What style of pitching do you want for your team?

Power.

Movement.

Sinkers and splitters.

Screwballs and sliders.

Who would you want as your team's manager?

Joe Torre

Lou Piniella

Rick Renteria

Ted Williams

Who do you want as your backstop?

Gary Sanchez

Buster Posey

Brian McCann

Chance Sisco

Who would you want as your backup catcher?

Sandy León

Christian Vázquez

Jesús Sucre

Andrew Susac

Who is your ace pitcher?

Shohei Ohtani

Luis Severino

Pat Venditte

Eric Lauer

Who plays short?

Didi Gregorius

Eduardo Núñez

David John LeMahieu

Troy Tulowitzki

Who's on first?

Tyler Austin

Blake Swihart

Nick Swisher

David Ortiz

Who do you want at the hot corner?

Scott Brosius

Marco Hernandez

Bobby Bonilla

Art Brouthers

Who plays second?

Gleyber Torres

Rafael Devers

Robinson Cano

Jack Burdock

Who do you have as your utility player?

Miguel Cairo

Brock Holt

Wilmer Flores

Xander Bogaerts

Who is your fantasy DH?

Lou Gehrig

Babe Ruth

Ty Cobb

Alex Sanchez

Who plays left?

Giancarlo Stanton

Jackie Bradley Jr.

Dave Winfield

Dave Kingman

Who plays center?

Aaron Hicks

J. D. Martinez

Ron Fairly

Elmer Flick

Who plays right?

Aaron Judge

Adam Jones

Andre Dawson

Tony Barron

Who is second in your team's rotation?

CC Sabathia

Chris Sale

Lucas Giolito

David Hess

Who is your best middle reliever?

Jonathan Holder

Dellin Betances

Drew Steckenrider

A. J. Ramos

Who is your best long reliever?

Chad Green

Tim Collins

Jared Hughes

Joba Chamberlain

Who is your setup man?

David Robertson

Mariano Rivera

Brad Ziegler

Chad Green

Who is third in your team's rotation?

Andy Pettitte

Sonny Gray

Vince Velasquez

Gio González

Who is your closer?

Mariano Rivera

John Wetteland

Aroldis Chapman

Huston Street

Who is fourth in your team's rotation?

Roger Clemens

Jim Abbott

Homer Bailey

Matt Koch

Who is the extra outfielder?

Eric Hosmer

Yasiel Puig

David Dahl

David Peralta

Who rounds out the rotation?

El Duque

Chien-Ming Wang

Brock Stewart

Ty Blach

How do you use your remaining slots?

Load up the bench with young talent.

Fill the bullpen with talented newcomers.

Fill the bench with veterans who can play more than one position.

Fill the bench with sluggers.

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About HowStuffWorks Play

How much do you know about dinosaurs? What is an octane rating? And how do you use a proper noun? Lucky for you, HowStuffWorks Play is here to help. Our award-winning website offers reliable, easy-to-understand explanations about how the world works. From fun quizzes that bring joy to your day, to compelling photography and fascinating lists, HowStuffWorks Play offers something for everyone. Sometimes we explain how stuff works, other times, we ask you, but we’re always exploring in the name of fun! Because learning is fun, so stick with us!

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